Reverse Light Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

76/85 Truck · 08-19-2010, 01:43 AM

Hey all! I have a 76 Chevy with an 85 body, and I recently noticed in order to get my reverse lights to turn on, i have to put it in reverse, and move the shifter (I have a Turbo 350) upwards (towards park) and hold it there. At first I thought to adjust my neutral safety switch, but my truck will start in P,R,N,D,2, or 1. So I was wondering if adjusting it would help, if I need a new one, or if it is something else. Also, the safety switch is small, white, and has 2 wires going to it. Thanks for reading, and thanks for everybody's help!!!!

BLE 'BURBAN · 08-19-2010, 02:24 AM

You willneed to replace AND adjust the neutral safety/back up switch. You should only be able to start it in either park or neutral. Not all positions.
Once you get the new switch installed and before you tighten it down,chock your wheels, put it in reverse, then go check your reverse lights. adjust the switch accordingly until the lights come on where you have the shifter at. Now try to start it in reverse while holding the brake. It shouldn't start. If it does, other adustments need to be made that I am unfamiliar with.

76/85 Truck · 08-19-2010, 02:26 AM

Okay, so either way the switch is definitely worn out? Thanks for your help!

76/85 Truck · 08-19-2010, 12:11 PM

Okay, this morning I went outside and fiddled with it. The switch just "snaps" to the column, and inside the column's case (i guess thats what its called) is is the rotating assembly, and that assembly has a hole in it where a little finger on the switch rides inside there. So, when you move the gear selector, that hole moves, which moves the finger, that changes the sensor. BUT, if I move the top of the neutral safety switch, it goes *click click click* like it is ratcheting. I moved it a little toward the passenger side (about 5 clicks) and I now have reverse lights while in reverse!!!!

BLE 'BURBAN · 08-19-2010, 10:05 PM

Good to hear!!! Now what about the starting issue in all gears?

76/85 Truck · 08-19-2010, 10:28 PM

Well, it still starts in all gears, so I think I'm going to buy a new switch. I'm not sure if it's a 1976 switch, or 1985 switch, because my truck is a 76 with 85 body, BUT it still has the 76 column in it. It is small, white, clips to the column, adjustable, and has 2 wires to it. Any suggestions?

BLE 'BURBAN · 08-20-2010, 01:45 AM

Which does yours most closely resemble? the 1976 model from NAPA PART # NS6584...

Or the 1985 model from NAPA PART # NS6497?

76/85 Truck · 08-23-2010, 02:30 AM

Thanks! I'm thinking the 85 one because of the metal bracket around the first one. I'll have to order that from Napa. Thanks for your help!

08-19-2010, 01:43 AM	#1
76/85 Truck Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Libby, MT Posts: 163	Reverse Light Question Hey all! I have a 76 Chevy with an 85 body, and I recently noticed in order to get my reverse lights to turn on, i have to put it in reverse, and move the shifter (I have a Turbo 350) upwards (towards park) and hold it there. At first I thought to adjust my neutral safety switch, but my truck will start in P,R,N,D,2, or 1. So I was wondering if adjusting it would help, if I need a new one, or if it is something else. Also, the safety switch is small, white, and has 2 wires going to it. Thanks for reading, and thanks for everybody's help!!!! __________________ Rich My first truck!! 1976 Chevy 3/4 ton Camper Special and a 1985 GMC body. Has a 350, 4 BBL Edelbrock, with a Turbo 350, and NP205 T-case. Last edited by 76/85 Truck; 08-19-2010 at 02:04 AM.

08-19-2010, 02:24 AM	#2
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Reverse Light Question You willneed to replace AND adjust the neutral safety/back up switch. You should only be able to start it in either park or neutral. Not all positions. Once you get the new switch installed and before you tighten it down,chock your wheels, put it in reverse, then go check your reverse lights. adjust the switch accordingly until the lights come on where you have the shifter at. Now try to start it in reverse while holding the brake. It shouldn't start. If it does, other adustments need to be made that I am unfamiliar with. __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

08-19-2010, 02:26 AM	#3
76/85 Truck Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Libby, MT Posts: 163	Re: Reverse Light Question Okay, so either way the switch is definitely worn out? Thanks for your help! __________________ Rich My first truck!! 1976 Chevy 3/4 ton Camper Special and a 1985 GMC body. Has a 350, 4 BBL Edelbrock, with a Turbo 350, and NP205 T-case.

08-19-2010, 12:11 PM	#4
76/85 Truck Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Libby, MT Posts: 163	Re: Reverse Light Question Okay, this morning I went outside and fiddled with it. The switch just "snaps" to the column, and inside the column's case (i guess thats what its called) is is the rotating assembly, and that assembly has a hole in it where a little finger on the switch rides inside there. So, when you move the gear selector, that hole moves, which moves the finger, that changes the sensor. BUT, if I move the top of the neutral safety switch, it goes click click click like it is ratcheting. I moved it a little toward the passenger side (about 5 clicks) and I now have reverse lights while in reverse!!!! __________________ Rich My first truck!! 1976 Chevy 3/4 ton Camper Special and a 1985 GMC body. Has a 350, 4 BBL Edelbrock, with a Turbo 350, and NP205 T-case.

08-19-2010, 10:05 PM	#5
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Reverse Light Question Good to hear!!! Now what about the starting issue in all gears? __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

08-19-2010, 10:28 PM	#6
76/85 Truck Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Libby, MT Posts: 163	Re: Reverse Light Question Well, it still starts in all gears, so I think I'm going to buy a new switch. I'm not sure if it's a 1976 switch, or 1985 switch, because my truck is a 76 with 85 body, BUT it still has the 76 column in it. It is small, white, clips to the column, adjustable, and has 2 wires to it. Any suggestions? __________________ Rich My first truck!! 1976 Chevy 3/4 ton Camper Special and a 1985 GMC body. Has a 350, 4 BBL Edelbrock, with a Turbo 350, and NP205 T-case.

08-20-2010, 01:45 AM	#7
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Reverse Light Question Which does yours most closely resemble? the 1976 model from NAPA PART # NS6584... Or the 1985 model from NAPA PART # NS6497? __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

08-23-2010, 02:30 AM	#8
76/85 Truck Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Libby, MT Posts: 163	Re: Reverse Light Question Thanks! I'm thinking the 85 one because of the metal bracket around the first one. I'll have to order that from Napa. Thanks for your help! __________________ Rich My first truck!! 1976 Chevy 3/4 ton Camper Special and a 1985 GMC body. Has a 350, 4 BBL Edelbrock, with a Turbo 350, and NP205 T-case.



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